What Stands Out From the Texans' First Unofficial Depth Chart

The Houston Texans have released their first unofficial depth chart of the year just a few days away from their debut preseason game of 2026 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

#Texans unofficial depth chart: first-string center Keylan Rutledge@KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/mWW9Pr5S8Y
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 10, 2026

And sometimes, unofficial depth charts may never end up amounting to much. After all, they're unofficial and can pan out into being a much different situation as to who plays and who doesn't once the coaches are on the sidelines and making decisions in-game.

But sometimes, these depth chart placements can matter. They can give us a hint about who's winning and who's not in the eyes of the coaches just over a week into training camp, and maybe give us a bit of a tell of who might be gearing up for a bigger role, and who might be a bit further back.

With that in mind, these four factors stuck out the most to me when looking at the Texans' first unofficial depth chart of the year:

Xavier Hutchinson Deemed WR3

Jul 30, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texans' depth at wide receiver has been unquestionably competitive heading into the season, and so far, the staff certainly hasn't forgotten about Xavier Hutchinson. He's still listed in the starting offense as WR3, and looking to top what he did in Houston last year, which was a career season on his behalf.

There's certainly room for the pecking order to change at wideout. Jaylin Noel is only going to be more involved the longer he's in the Texans' system, and Tank Dell will surge even further up the longer he's healthy, but for now, it might be Hutchinson gearing up for the most opportunity between the three.

Marlin Klein Slots In at TE5

Jul 30, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Marlin Klein (83) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texans certainly seem to be taking it slow for their rookie tight end, Marlin Klein, who has yet to make much of a dent in the depth chart when compared to other incoming first-year talents around them. So far, Klein is ranked as the fifth-highest tight end within their six on the roster, as Foster Moreau slots in as TE2.

Klein has made some big plays throughout practice in the last few days. So it's not to say he isn't progressing. But in terms of his standing within this tight end room that's remained highly competitive through camp, he's still got work to do.

Keylan Rutledge Starting at Center

Jul 31, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans center Keylan Rutledge (66) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As for a rookie who's jumped up the depth chart a little more quickly than expected, that's the Texans' first-round pick, Keylan Rutledge, who's currently listed as the starting center of this offensive line with Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram on each side of him.

Maybe it won't be the same five-man combination that the Texans enter Week 1 with. But at the very least, Rutledge's placement seems to confirm what we already knew: Houston has liked what they've seen from their top pick in this year's draft so far, and they're comfortable with considering him a center.

The Trent Brown/Braden Smith Situation

Jul 30, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Braden Smith (71) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rather than deeming a clear starter between Trent Brown or Braden Smith at right tackle, the Texans made sure to label their right tackle as an "OR", meaning Houston won't be determining their starter at this point in the offseason, and they're still right in the thick of a battle for who might start Week 1.

And Brown certainly has a much better shot to come out on top from what his stock looked like entering the offseason program. Houston could decide to stick with a successful right tackle who was undefeated in his starts last year as opposed to their new free agent signing, even when factoring Smith's $20 million deal. Time will tell.

Wade Woodaz, Marte Mapu Top Depth Pieces at LB

Jun 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Marte Mapu arrives for the team’s minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The linebacker battle has been a frequent conversation surrounding the Texans ever since EJ Speed was reportedly out for the season with a quad injury. And right now, the top names listed on the depth chart behind their LB1 and 2–– Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o–– were Marte Mapu and rookie Wade Woodaz.

Maybe the outlook for the linebacker room changes in the coming weeks. But if those two were in the lead to get the most snaps behind Al-Shaair and To'oTo'o it makes sense. Mapu has some of the most experience in the room, and Woodaz is a nice upside bet as a first-year player.

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